Dear Verizon Retiree:

During this 2005 legislative session, Texas lawmakers have been wrestling with changing the face of telecommunications legislation. On March 29, the Texas House passed and sent to the Senate a bill sponsored by Representative Phil King, House Bill 789. This bill represents strong movement toward a more competitive, pro-consumer regulatory framework for Texas.

In 1995, Texas led the nation with very progressive legislation - the Public Utility Regulatory Act (PURA). This preceded the 1996 Telecom Act. Now we have the opportunity to again lead the nation with progressive legislation that embraces the benefits of competition. We are working with elected officials and other industry players toward regulatory certainty for telecom providers that will also ensure the principles of universal service are upheld.

The world of communications has changed, and competition and customer choice are everywhere. Technology will continue to create more choices and consumers will benefit if providers have true incentives to invest. This happens only if regulators get out of the way.

These are lofty goals, but there is a fundamental belief that progressive legislation can set the tone for the nation and can begin to reverse the policies that have dropped the U.S. to number 13 in the world in broadband deployment.

I will continue to provide you updates as this legislation moves along, but encourage you to stay in touch by visiting http://www.verizon.com/texas.

I may be reaching out to you in the near future to help rally support for this legislation by contacting your state legislators.

Sincerely,

Steve
Steve Banta
President - Southwest Region